Fogging drive launched early but many areas still await relief

To prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has claimed to have launched a fogging drive across all 85 wards of the city. According to officials, the campaign began in March this year, earlier than usual, as a preventive step. Previously, fogging was typically initiated only after dengue cases were reported in hospitals.

Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia formally inaugurated the drive on March 17, stating that fogging operations would be carried out regularly to safeguard public health. The MC had procured medicines and chemicals in advance to destroy mosquito larvae and curb breeding activities.

However, several city residents have expressed dissatisfaction over the MC’s fogging claims, stating that the exercise was not conducted in their localities. This has raised concerns about a possible outbreak of vector-borne diseases, particularly in areas where stagnant water serves as an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

In response, MC officials said a detailed fogging schedule has been prepared by the civic body’s health wing. They claim fogging is being conducted daily, ward-wise, according to a fixed roster. The corporation currently operates eight auto-rickshaw-mounted fogging machines and 24 hand-held fogging machines. “Workers using manual machines are covering each ward twice a week, while auto-rickshaw-mounted fogging is conducted once a week,” an MC official said.

Dr Rama, Health Officer, Municipal Corporation, added, “We have instructed our staff to prioritise areas where water tends to accumulate, as these are high-risk zones for mosquito breeding. Some areas still have open drains and our teams are actively covering these. Generally, fogging is carried out at public places, markets, parks, school grounds and religious institutions where people frequently gather.”

MC officials further stated that field workers are asked to take photographs and share location data during fogging operations. This data is then forwarded to the civil surgeon and the district administration for monitoring and transparency.

Punjab